Cartridge with venturi flow path

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for use with a vaporizer device according to various embodiments of the subject technology may include a body portion comprising an airflow path. The airflow path may include a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter. The cartridge may further include a heating element coupled to an interior surface of the body portion and located at the second section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/177,587, filed on Apr. 21, 2021, and incorporates the disclosure of the application in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY State of the Art

Vaporizer devices present an alternative to smoking and work by vaporizing a consumable vaporizable liquid, e.g., oil or extract, by heating the vaporizable liquid at a lower temperature than an open flame so that a user can inhale the vaporizable liquid in vapor form, rather than smoke.

A conventional cartridge of a vaporizer device typically has a reservoir for holding the vaporizable liquid, a wick capable of soaking up the vaporizable liquid, and a heated coil, in contact with the wick. The vaporizable liquid typically flows from the reservoir to the heated coil and a current is passed through the coil, heating the wick, and vaporizing the vaporizable liquid. However, the flow rate of the vaporizable liquid in a conventional cartridge is typically low, causing the heated coil to dry up and taint the flavor of the vapor. In addition, the air that is introduced into a conventional cartridge typically flows through the heated coil, thereby diluting the vapor and making the heated coil draw more current than is necessary to heat the vaporizable liquid.

Accordingly, what is needed is a cartridge that efficiently vaporizes the vaporizable liquid and that provides a user with high-quality vapor, consistent flavor profiles, and improved sensory experiences over the lifetime of the cartridge.

SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

A cartridge for use with a vaporizer device according to various embodiments of the subject technology may comprise a body portion comprising an airflow path. The airflow path may comprise a first section having a first diameter, a second section having a second diameter, and a third section having a third diameter. The cartridge may further comprise a heating element coupled to an interior surface of the body portion and located at the second section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the subject technology may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the subject technology;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the subject technology; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for increasing a flow rate of a vaporizable liquid in accordance with an embodiment of the subject technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The subject technology may be described in terms of functional block components. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the subject technology may employ various batteries, coils, heating elements, inlets, outlets, wicks, reservoirs, vaporizable liquids, extracts, oils, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the subject technology may be practiced in conjunction with any one of various vaporizer devices, and the cartridge described herein is merely one exemplary application for the technology.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, an exemplary cartridge 100 may be integrated in any suitable vaporizer device (not shown) for vaporizing a vaporizable liquid. In various applications, the cartridge 100 may operate to increase a flow rate of the vaporizable liquid. According to various embodiments, the cartridge 100 may comprise a body portion 105, a heating element 110, and a reservoir 115 in fluid communication with the heating element 110 via a porous wick (not shown).

The body portion 105 may comprise an airflow path A. The airflow path A may comprise a first section 130 having a first diameter D₁, a second section 135 having a second diameter D₂, and a third section 140 having a third diameter D₃. According to various embodiments, the first diameter D₁ may be greater than the second diameter D₂, the second diameter D₂ may be less than the third diameter D₃, and the third diameter D₃ may be substantially equal to the first diameter D₁. In one embodiment, the second diameter D₂ may be equal to about one-half the first diameter D₁. In an alternative embodiment, the second diameter D₂ may be equal to about one-third the first diameter D₁.

It will be appreciated that modifications may be made to the first diameter D₁, second diameter D₂, and third diameter D₃ without departing from the scope of the subject technology. For example, in yet another embodiment, the first diameter D₁ may be greater than the second diameter D₂, the second diameter D₂ may be less than the third diameter D₃, and the third diameter D₃ may be less than the first diameter D₁.

The heating element 110 may be coupled to an interior surface 106 of the body portion 105. The heating element 110 may be configured to heat the porous wick to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the vaporizable liquid flowing therethrough. In one embodiment, the heating element 110 may be located at the second section 135 of the airflow path A to form a constricted section (or choke) in the airflow path A. The heating element 110 may comprise any suitable resistive element that dissipates heat when an electric current flows through it, such as a coil, ribbon, strip of wire, wire mesh, and the like. It will be appreciated that the heating element 110 may be constructed from a variety of suitable materials, such as copper, nickel, iron, stainless steel, or a combination thereof.

As an example, the heating element 110 may comprise a first coil 114 a and a second coil 114 b. The first coil 114 a may be connected to a first jointing point 120 a and a second jointing point 120 b. Similarly, the second coil 114 b may be connected to the first jointing point 120 a and the second jointing point 120 b. Each jointing point 120 a, 120 b may form an angle with respect to the body portion 105 to reduce airflow drag. The angle may comprise any suitable angle. For example, the angle may be between about 10 degrees and about 30 degrees.

The reservoir 115 may comprise any suitable reservoir or tank capable of holding a vaporizable liquid therein. The reservoir 115 may be in fluid communication with the heating element 110 via the porous wick, such that the vaporizable liquid may flow from the reservoir 115 to the heating element 110. The reservoir may be located at any suitable area within the cartridge 100. In addition, the reservoir 115 may comprise any suitable size and shape. For example, in one embodiment, the reservoir may be cylindrical-shaped and may be configured to hold up to 5 or 6 ml of the vaporizer liquid. The reservoir 115 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as glass, ceramic, plastic, and the like.

In operation, and referring now to FIGS. 1-3, increasing the flow rate of the vaporizable liquid may comprise turning on the vaporizer device (300). Increasing the flow rate of the vaporizable liquid may also comprise drawing air into the airflow path A to form a first pressure and a second pressure (305). For example, in the case where the vaporizer device is “draw-activated”, a user may turn on the vaporizer device by drawing air into the vaporizer device via an inlet 145 of the cartridge 100 by inhaling through a mouthpiece (not shown) connected to an outlet 150 of the cartridge 100. When the user inhales, a negative pressure may be induced inside the vaporizer device. The negative pressure induced inside the vaporizer device may cause a sensor (not shown) to close a pressure switch (not shown), thereby closing a circuit between a battery (not shown) and various components of the vaporizer device. Once the pressure switch (not shown) is closed, the battery may supply power to various components of the vaporizer device, including the heating element 110. The air may flow as an air stream upwards from the inlet along the airflow path A. The relationship between the velocity, density, and pressure of the air stream may be expressed mathematically by the following expression:

P _(Static_1) −P _(Static_2)=½ρ(v ₂ ² −v ₁ ²)

where P_(Static_1) is a first static pressure at the first section 130 of the airflow path A, v₁ is the velocity of the air stream at the first section 130 of the airflow path A, ρ is the density of the air stream, P_(Static_2) is a second static pressure at the third section 140 of the airflow path A, v₂ is the velocity of the air stream at the second section 135 of the airflow path A.

After the air is drawn into the cartridge 100, the air may flow through the first section 130 of the airflow path A. After the air flows through the first section 130, the air may flow through the second section 135 of the airflow path A. After the air flows through the second section 135, the air may flow through the third section 140 of the airflow path A.

Because the first diameter D₁ of the first section 130 may be greater than the second diameter D₂ of the second section 135, the velocity of the air stream may increase as the air flows from the first section 130 to the third section 140 via the second section 135 based on scientific principles of mass continuity. Consequently, the velocity of the air stream at the second section 135 of the airflow path A may be greater than the velocity of the air stream at the first section 130 of the airflow path A. Because the velocity of the air stream may increase as the air flows along the airflow path A, the static pressure of the air stream may decrease as the air flows from the first section 130 to the third section 140 via the second section 135 based on scientific principles of energy conservation, e.g., the Venturi effect.

Increasing the flow rate of the vaporizable liquid may further comprise increasing the flow rate of the vaporizable liquid in response to forming the first pressure and the second pressure (310). Specifically, the flow rate may be proportional to the difference between the first static pressure P_(Static_1) and the second static pressure P_(Static_2). The flow rate may be expressed mathematically by the following expression:

$q = {\frac{k}{\mu d}\left( {P_{{{Static}\_}1} - P_{{{Static}\_}2}} \right)}$

where q is the flow rate of the vaporizable liquid, k is the permeability of the porous wick, μ is the dynamic viscosity of the vaporizable liquid, and d is the distance between the heating element 110 and the reservoir 115.

Because the pressure drop across the distance d between the heating element 110 and the reservoir 115 may increase by ½ρ(v₂ ²−v₁ ²) as the air flows through the first section 130 and the second section 135 along the airflow path A, the flow rate of the vaporizable liquid may increase by

$\frac{1}{2}\frac{k}{\mu d}{{\rho\left( {v_{2}^{2} - v_{1}^{2}} \right)}.}$

In some embodiments, ρ, k, and μ may be known constants.

Increasing the pressure drop across the distance d between the heating element 110 and the reservoir 115 may aid in transmitting the heat produced by the heating element 120, in the form of thermal energy, to the porous wick. Accordingly, the vaporizer device may conserve a greater amount of total energy, thereby allowing a user to utilize the vaporizer device many times before having to change or recharge the battery. In addition, increasing the pressure drop across the distance d between the heating element 110 and the reservoir 115 may lower the boiling point of the vaporizable liquid, making the vaporizable liquid less prone to experiencing thermal degradations, i.e., molecular deterioration as a result of overheating, thereby effectively activating various compounds, such as terpenes, within the vaporizable liquid to provide the user with improved flavors and aromas.

While the air is drawn into the cartridge 100, the battery may supply a current to the heating element 110, where the current may flow through the first coil 114 a and the second coil 114 b to dissipate heat. Because each coil 114 a, 114 b may be in contact with the porous wick, the resulting heat may be transferred to the porous wick. Once the vapor is produced, it may mix with the air drawn into the cartridge 100, and the resulting aerosol (vapor and airflow) may travel as an aerosol stream along the airflow path A where it may be expelled via the outlet 150 and inhaled through the mouthpiece.

In the foregoing specification, the technology has been described with reference to specific embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the subject technology as set forth in the claims. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. For example, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims. Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all the claims.

As used herein, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “having,” “including,” “includes,” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition, or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the subject technology, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied, or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. 

1. A cartridge for use with a vaporizer device, comprising: a body portion comprising an airflow path, wherein the airflow path comprises: a first section having a first diameter; a second section having a second diameter; and a third section having a third diameter; and a heating element coupled to an interior surface of the body portion and located at the second section.
 2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein: the first diameter is greater than the second diameter; the second diameter is less than the third diameter; and the third diameter is substantially equal to the first diameter.
 3. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the second diameter is equal to about one-half the first diameter.
 4. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein the second diameter is equal to about one-third the first diameter.
 5. The cartridge of claim 2, wherein air is drawn into the airflow path, and wherein: the air flows through the first section to form a first pressure at the first section; the air flows through the second section to form a second pressure at the third section; and the first pressure is greater than the second pressure.
 6. The cartridge of claim 5, further comprising a reservoir in fluid communication with the heating element and configured to hold a vaporizable liquid, wherein the vaporizable liquid flows from the reservoir to the heating element at a flow rate.
 7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the flow rate is proportional to the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure.
 8. A method for increasing a flow rate of a vaporizable liquid in a cartridge, comprising: drawing air into an airflow path of the cartridge to form a first pressure and a second pressure within the airflow path; and increasing the flow rate in response to forming the first pressure and the second pressure.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the airflow path comprises: a first section having a first diameter; a second section having a second diameter; and a third section having a third diameter.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein: the first diameter is greater than the second diameter; the second diameter is less than the third diameter; and the third diameter is substantially equal to the first diameter.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second diameter is equal to about one-half the first diameter.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the second diameter is equal to about one-third the first diameter.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein: the air flows through the first section to form the first pressure at the first section; the air flows through the second section to form the second pressure at the third section; and the first pressure is greater than the second pressure.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the vaporizable liquid flows from a reservoir disposed within the cartridge to a heating element disposed within the airflow path at a flow rate.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the flow rate is proportional to the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure. 